Consumers go to pet stores expecting to acquire a pet from a responsible breeder. Even with all the public information available about the puppy mill industry, it is still difficult for prospective pet parents to resist the lies and misstatements made by pet shop staff about the origin of the pets and the conditions they were raised in and how they were transported.

Even more hidden are the long lasting emotional difficulties these animals often experience, such as fears, separation anxiety, aggression and other behaviors requiring expensive dog training and treatment.

Responsible breeders benefit, too, as they no longer have to compete with puppy mills charging thousands of dollars for dogs bred and raised carelessly; their sires and dams treated like a means of production rather than the feeling, sentient beings that they are.

Take a moment to sign this petition to put New York on the map of truly pet friendly cities.

I hope that you will decide to have the City of New York join Burbank, California in banning the sale of puppies from pet stores.

This simple action will stop the suffering of puppies and dogs while promoting the adoption of pets in the stores as they are invited to become adoption centers.

New Yorkers go to pet stores expecting to acquire a pet from a responsible breeder. Even with information readily available about the puppy mill industry, it is still difficult for prospective pet parents to resist the lies and misstatements made by pet shop staff about the origin of the pets in the specific shop, the conditions they were raised in and how they were transported.

Even less well known by the public but all too familiar to vets, dog trainers and animal shelter staff are the long lasting emotional difficulties these animals often experience, such as fear of novelty, separation anxiety, timidity and other abnormal behaviors requiring expensive dog training and treatment.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this issue. You are well known for taking a strong stance on controversial issues and being willing to withstand criticism when you know you are right.

I hope you will agree with me and the other signatories of this petition that closing the puppy mill market in New York City, for once and for all, is the right thing to do. New York City's dogs are counting on you!